NBA Scandal: Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups and Heat’s Terry Rozier Charged in Mafia-Linked Illegal Gambling Case
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among 34 people charged in a massive FBI investigation into Mafia-backed illegal gambling and poker operations.
NBA Shockwave: Major Names Entangled in Nationwide Gambling Investigation
The NBA world was rocked on Thursday as authorities announced the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in connection with a sprawling, Mafia-backed gambling investigation that spanned 11 U.S. states.
In total, 34 individuals were taken into custody following a multi-year FBI investigation into underground poker operations and insider sports betting. The operation, which authorities have labeled one of the most significant sports-related crime cases in recent years, involved tens of millions of dollars in illegal wagers.
Billups Charged in Rigged Poker Scheme
Authorities say that Chauncey Billups, currently in his fifth season as Trail Blazers coach, was arrested in Oregon and charged in a federal indictment connected to an underground poker ring allegedly manipulated by Mafia families.
According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr., the poker games were rigged using high-tech devices, including manipulated shuffling machines and X-ray scanning technology, allowing organizers to view players’ hidden cards and ensure outcomes that favored the house.
Billups, a former NBA Finals MVP and five-time All-Star, reportedly coached Portland’s season opener just one day before his arrest.
“This was a sophisticated, multi-state operation orchestrated with precision and corruption,” said Christopher Raia, FBI Assistant Director for the New York Field Office. “It’s one of the largest takedowns of its kind.”
Rozier and Damon Jones Accused of Insider Betting
In a separate but related case, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones were also arrested.
Prosecutors allege that Rozier and Jones shared confidential NBA information with a small network of bettors who used the insights to place illegal sports wagers on outcomes and player performances.
An example detailed in the indictment describes a March 23, 2023 game, when Rozier—then with the Charlotte Hornets—tipped off a co-defendant about his plan to exit the game early with a supposed injury. The early exit led to $200,000 in placed bets, predicting Rozier’s underperformance.
Rozier, now in his 11th NBA season, was arrested Thursday morning in Orlando, Florida. He did not play in the Heat’s season opener against the Magic due to what the team initially called a “hamstring issue.”
Former NBA Assistant Also Implicated
Damon Jones, a former NBA player and assistant coach, is accused of acting as an information broker, funneling nonpublic data to organized gambling networks. He is reportedly among three individuals tied to both investigations — the insider betting case and the Mafia-run poker ring.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York confirmed that six defendants are charged in the sports betting scheme, while 31 face poker-related charges, with some overlap between the two cases.
FBI and Federal Response
At a press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel described the coordinated arrests as a “historic crackdown on corruption in professional sports.”
“These cases demonstrate that no one—no matter their fame or financial standing—is above the law,” Patel stated.
He further noted that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with additional indictments possible in the coming weeks.
NBA History of Gambling Controversies
This is not the first time professional basketball has been tarnished by gambling scandals. Last year, former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned for life after pleading guilty to wire fraud in a scheme where he intentionally underperformed and shared insider details for gambling profit.
Experts suggest that this new case may push the NBA to tighten internal policies around player and staff access to nonpublic information.
Profiles: A Fall from Grace
Chauncey Billups
- Former Finals MVP and NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons (2004)
- Five-time NBA All-Star
- Averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists per game across 17 seasons
- Regarded as one of the league’s most respected figures before coaching
Terry Rozier
- Veteran guard with 665 career games
- Known for playoff performances with the Boston Celtics (2016–2019)
- Averaged 13.9 points per game
- Key starter for the Miami Heat entering the 2025 season
Both now face charges that could end their careers permanently.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1: What are the main charges against Chauncey Billups?
Billups is accused of participating in a Mafia-backed poker operation that used rigged technology to manipulate outcomes in high-stakes games.
Q2: What is Terry Rozier accused of?
Rozier allegedly shared insider NBA information that was used to place illegal sports bets on player performance and outcomes.
Q3: How many people were arrested in total?
Authorities confirmed that 34 individuals were taken into custody across 11 states, including current and former NBA players and coaches.
Q4: What technology was used in the poker scheme?
Investigators uncovered evidence of rigged shuffling machines and X-ray card-reading tools used to gain unfair advantages in underground poker games.
Q5: What is the current status of the investigation?
Both cases remain active, with FBI officials confirming that additional charges and arrests are possible in the near future.
